Thing 5

What is the biggest learning that has occurred for me with regards to RSS and feeds?  This one is easy!  I can honestly say that before this training I did not know anything about RSS.  I did not know what RSS stood for, what was meant by the letters, how to locate any of the information, or what to do with the information.  I am very interested to see how much information starts coming to me, instead of me looking for the information.

The Fourth Thing

What do I like about RSS and newsreaders?  Well, in the past I have spent a lot of time looking for information on a particular topic and it always felt like a waste of time.  This almost seems too easy - after all, the information will come right to me now.  I teach second grade, but even at this age the children start to do research.  I can get so much information for students using newsreaders that I didn't have the time to look for before.

The third Thing

After watching 7 & 1/2 Habits I can easily discuss what is easiest and hardest for me.  The easiest thing is Habit 2: accept responsibility for your own learning.  I have always been motivated to learn, even from a young child.  No one ever needed to poke or prod me to do my best.  I just want to learn and to do the best I can at that point in time.  The hardest one for me is Habit 6: use technology to your advantage.  I want to learn more about technology.    I need to learn more about technology, but I feel that I don't have enough time to play with technology so I can learn more.  I work full time and I have 4 young children which gets in the way of making more progress.  However, my oldest is now 13 years old and he is helping me get more tech savy.  I learn by doing and with his help and guidance I can learn faster.

23 things - the second thing

What makes a good blog?  I think a good blog should have thought provoking questions or ideas that can initiate others to stop, pause and think.  It should also be eye pleasing so it grabs your attention.

How can we enhance our school website?  If we create our website so parents, principals, teachers, school board, community members, etc.can blog new ideas, discuss old ideas, solve problems, etc. it would be a powerful tool to reach so many  people.

Are blogs easy to publish?  Yes!  With a click of a button, your ideas are posted.

My thoughts on web 2.0 and its role in  21st century teaching and learning.  I keep thinking about how students will have so many different jobs in their life times and that many of these jobs are not created yet.  I believe my main job is to teach the students to think creatively.  Blogs will open up student thinking and learning through constant discussion.

bloggs for learning

I hope to learn how to comfortably blog without hesitation.  I am not that up to date on blogging, texting, etc. and I want to be able to understand how it all works.